Ronald Steven Helfrick

Ronald Steven Helfrick, only son of Joseph and Josephine Helfrick, passed away, joining his parents and beloved wife Fran, on December 12th, 2010.  Born on November 27th, 1935, Ron was raised in Moose Jaw where he led an active life and attended St. Louis College.  Ron was a huge sports fan and an avid fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.  His enthusiasm was contagious and the family all agree that it was Ron who made Rider fans of us all.  As a young man, Ron played softball in Moose Jaw but he shone brightest as a 5 pin bowler.  For many years his shared single season high average of 264 stood as all time high and he represented Moose Jaw numerous times in the then Western Canadian Championships.  Bowling introduced Ron to the love of his life, Fran Romanuk, and they married in 1965.  Ron began his career with Beaver Lumber as bookkeeper in Moose Jaw.  Soon after his marriage to Fran, Ron was transferred to Viscount, SK. as store manager and the newlyweds were off and running on a journey throughout the west that took them to Lanigan, The Pas, Portage La Prairie, Regina, Saskatoon and St. Paul. Eventually, Ron and Fran franchised their own Beaver Lumber store in Estevan.  When Ron was stricken with Parkinson’s disease, his working days gradually wound down to a close, and retirement found them back home, in Moose Jaw.  It was a happy retirement with many friends and much entertaining.  Ron’s home was truly his castle; he was proud of it and loved to welcome guests.  When Ron married Fran, he found himself to no longer be an only child.  He now shared Fran’s brothers Ken (Lil) and Don (Wendy) Romanuk.  He also found himself with a little sister, Dianne (Glenn) Brown, to contend with.  As close a relationship that could ever be was born and only grew stronger over the years encompassing roles of brother, father, best friend and above all, trust and unconditional love.  Predeceased by his parents, then Fran and Don, Ron is survived by his very special cousins, Jack (Fern) and Rick (Margaret) Helfrick, their families as well as his aunt, Bell Graham, of BC and cousins Pat, April, Melvin, Danny and Heather.  Ron will be sadly missed by Fran’s family, mother Anne Romanuk, Ken & Lil, Wendy and Dianne & Glenn.  Jeff (Rhonda) Romanuk, Lorie (Kevin) Legualt, Teri Romanuk and Bobbi (Kevin) Ingalls and their children Alissa, Karley, Kevin, Sophia, Tony, Frank, Quinn and Piper, will remember a kind, gentle Uncle Ron.  The family wishes to thank the staff of Providence Place for the care and attention given to Ron.  We will always remember Ron’s dry wit, his love of family, his impish practical jokes and the many good times.  We will never forget his steadfast loyalty, the shoulder to lean on and the helping hand that never failed any one of us.  While we mourn his loss, we take some comfort in knowing that he is finally with Fran again, which is where he always wanted to be.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 28th, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. in St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 1064 3rd Ave. N.W., Moose Jaw, SK.  Father Louis Nguyen will be the presiding celebrant and interment will follow at Sunset Cemetery.